Coffey Talk
It was practically a sell-out night at the Honey Pot in Ybor for reality star Tabitha Coffey. The star of Bravo’s Tabitha’s Salon Takover stopped in to judge the Miss U.S. of A Florida pageant and stuck around for a book signing as well. The beautiful and gracious lesbian reality star was more than happy to mingle with fans, pose for pictures and talk with the media. She told Watermark’s Erik Caban that her perfectly styled look is all her own doing and that she doesn’t have a team of assistants to get her prepped for public appearances. She also talked freely about her decade-long relationship with her partner and her matter-of-fact attitude she displays on the show. By the time the evening ended, people were wondering if there was an available copy of her memoir anywhere left in Ybor City!
Anything but a Drag
Speaking of reality television—Alexis Mateo’s Season 3 role on RuPaul’s Drag Race brought out drag royalty from throughout the state at two Tampa Bay area parties before the Jan. 24 premiere. The first party at Chelsea Nightclub in Tampa showcased the artists talents and packed the “Be who you are bar” with fans decked in black and pink outfits. The new entry onto the patio was especially welcome on such a crowded evening. On the night of the show’s premiere, the red carpet was literally rolled out at Georgie’s Alibi in St. Petersburg for Mateo and her entourage of entertainers. Probably most impressive were the on-air interviews conducted by Stephanie Shippae and Amy DeMilo, who spoke with entertainers who arrived in the parking lot via limo. Bits of the interviews were broadcast directly onto Logo. After she greeted fans from the stage, Alexis settled in with everyone else to watch the premiere.
Linda Eder gets intimate
In the historic and intimate Capitol Theatre in Clearwater, Linda Eder performed to a packed house that was at least a quarter filled with gay men who wanted to hear the Broadway voice that was launched on Star Search. Her legions of gay fans were not disappointed as she performed some of her classics, “Someone Like You” and selections from her new album, Now, which is available March 1. The new album is collaboration with her ex, Frank Wildhorn, with whom the singer says she’s on good terms. “But I made him work to get the sound right,” she told the crowd. “I can afford to be choosy. I’m not the little wifey anymore.”
